248 CMR, § 10.02 - Basic Principles

Founding of Principles. 248 CMR 10.00 is founded upon basic principles which hold that public health, environmental sanitation, and safety can only be achieved through properly designed, acceptably installed, and adequately maintained plumbing systems.

(1) Principle 1: All Occupied Premises Must Have Potable Water. All occupied premises must be provided with a supply of potable water. Such a water supply shall not be connected to unsafe or questionable water sources, nor shall it be subject to the hazards of backflow, backpressure, or back-siphonage.

(2) Principle 2: Adequate Water Required. Plumbing fixtures, devices, and appurtenances must be supplied with water in enough volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function properly under normal conditions of use.

(3) Principle 3: Hot Water Required. Hot water must be supplied in all occupied premises for plumbing fixtures which utilize hot water for sanitary or hygienic purposes.

(4) Principle 4: Water Conservation. Plumbing must be designed and installed to meet the water conservation requirements of 248 CMR 10.00 while using the minimum quantity of water necessary to function properly under normal conditions of use.

(5) Principle 5: Dangers of Explosion or Overheating. Devices and appliances for heating and storing water must be so designed and installed as to guard against dangers from explosion or overheating.

(6) Principle 6: Required Plumbing Fixtures.

(a) To meet the basic prerequisites of sanitation and personal hygiene each dwelling shall include the following:

1. At least one toilet;

2. At least one lavatory;

3. At least one kitchen style sink;

4. At least one bathtub or shower compartment or shower unit;

5. Laundry Facility Requirements. A washing machine connection that consists of a piping arrangement that includes a cold water supply, hot water supply, and a sufficient drain connection shall be provided in conformance with the following:

a. One and Two Family Dwelling. At least one washing machine connection in a common area accessible to all units.

b. Multiple Dwellings.

i. Non-elderly Housing. One washing machine connection for every ten dwelling units or fraction thereof that do not have a washing machine in the unit. For laundry requirements in dormitories, see 248 CMR 10.10(8)(a)2.c.

ii. Elderly Housing. In housing that is restricted to the elderly, at least one washing machine connection for every 20 dwelling units or faction thereof that do not have a washing machine in the unit.

iii. The washing machine connection shall be located so that each occupant in a dwelling has access to a washing machine that may be affixed to the washing machine connection.

iv. The washing machine connection shall be located so that each occupant in a dwelling has access to a washing machine that may be affixed to the washing machine connection.

(b) All buildings and structures other than residential dwellings that are intended for occupancy shall be equipped with sufficient sanitary facilities as outlined in 248 CMR 10.00.

(c) Plumbing fixtures must be constructed of durable, smooth, nonabsorbent, and corrosion resistant material and must be free of concealed fouling surfaces.

(7) Principle 7: Protection of Drainage Systems. The plumbing drainage system must be installed, designed, arranged, constructed, and maintained to protect against fouling, deposit of solids, and stoppages. Additionally, adequate cleanouts must be incorporated to ensure the system may be readily cleaned.

(8) Principle 8: Durable Materials and Good Workmanship. The piping and other components of the plumbing system must be manufactured of durable material, free from defective workmanship, and designed and constructed to provide satisfactory service for its reasonable expected life.

(9) Principle 9: Need for Traps in the Plumbing Drainage System. Every fixture directly connected to the drainage system must be equipped with a liquid-seal trap. The drainage and associated vent system must be designed to provide adequate circulation of air in and throughout all piping. Trap seals shall be protected from the dangers of siphonage, leakage, aspiration, momentum, oscillation, back pressure, evaporation, and capillary action under conditions of normal ordinary use.

(10) Principle 10: Special Precautions for Oily and/or Flammable Liquid Wastes. Oily and/or flammable liquid wastes pose a public health and safety danger if not properly disposed of. Accordingly, all commercial buildings and garages which are used to store, or repair motor vehicles must have separators installed to ensure that all oil, grease, and other flammable wastes are discharged before emptying into the building drainage system or other point of disposal.

(11) Principle 11: Need for Venting in the Plumbing System. Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air above the roof line and be installed to prohibit the possibility of vent obstruction and the return of sewage gases into the building.

(12) Principle 12: Plumbing Systems Must be Tested. The plumbing system must be subjected to such tests as mandated by 248 CMR 10.00 to effectively disclose all leaks and defects in the work or the materials.

(13) Principle 13: Harmful Substances Must be Excluded from the Plumbing System. No substance that will cause or exacerbate clogs or stoppages in pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere unduly with the sewage disposal process shall enter the sanitary drainage system. Special wastewater discharges containing such hazards must be collected and disposed of or treated prior to entering the sanitary drainage system.

(14) Principle 14: Need for Indirect Waste Piping in the Plumbing Drainage System. Indirect waste piping shall be provided to prevent backflow of sewage or the contamination of food, water, ice, sterile goods, and other similar products. When the potential of a backflow of sewage event is possible, the fixture, device, or appliance shall be connected indirectly with the building sanitary or storm drainage system.

(15) Principle 15: Light and Ventilation. No toilets, urinals, bathtubs, or shower facilities shall be installed into a new or renovated room, space, or compartment that does not incorporate proper illumination and mechanical exhaust to the exterior of the building. This principle does not apply to the removal and replacement of existing fixtures.

(16) Principle 16: Need for Disposal of Sewage. All occupied premises must be provided with a means of disposing of sewage. If toilets or other plumbing fixtures are to be installed in buildings where there is no sewer within a reasonable distance, suitable provisions shall be made for disposing of the sewage in compliance with 248 CMR and 310 CMR 15.00: The State Environmental Code, Title 5: Standard Requirements for the Siting, Construction, Inspection, Upgrade and Expansion of On-site Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems and for the Transport and Disposal of Septage.

(17) Principal 17: Prevent Sewer Flooding. Where a plumbing drainage system is subject to backflow of sewage from the public sewer system suitable provision shall be incorporated to prevent the potential of overflow into the building.

(18) Principle 18: Proper Maintenance. Plumbing systems shall be maintained in a safe and serviceable condition from the standpoint of both mechanics and health.

(19) Principle 19: Fixtures Shall Be Accessible. All plumbing fixtures shall be installed in a manner with respect to clearances for spacing and accessibility for their intended use, cleaning, maintenance, and replacement.

(20) Principle 20: Structural Integrity. The performance of plumbing work shall not impact the structural integrity of building components. See 780 CMR: The Massachusetts State Building Code for licensing and other requirements governing such issues.

(21) Principle 21: Protect Ground and Surface Water. All discharges to ground or surface water must meet all local, state, and federal water quality discharge standards.

(22) Principle 22: Piping and Treatment of Hazardous Wastes. All waste discharge materials that may become detrimental to the health and welfare of the public, that enter the sanitary drainage system of any building shall be carried within hazardous waste piping systems. The hazardous waste shall be collected and disposed of or treated prior to entering the sanitary drainage system in accordance with the requirements of 248 CMR 10.00.

(23) Principle 23: Need for Privacy. In a room that accommodates more than one toilet, or that incorporates a urinal and a toilet, each toilet shall be enclosed, and each urinal shall be side shielded for privacy.

(24) Principle 24: Drinking Water Station. Drinking Water Stations shall be installed in safe, clean, and hazard-free areas. The installation of a drinking water station in a restroom that incorporates toilets or urinals is prohibited.

(25) Principle 25: Structures or Trailers for Temporary Use. Any trailer or other structure used for human shelter which is designed to be transportable, and which is not located on the same premises for more than 30 days in a calendar year are exempt from the material provisions of 248 CMR 10.06. Exception: Trailers for construction projects may remain on the premises for the duration of the project.

(26) Principle 26: Materials and Design. The materials, products, devices, methods, systems, design, and installation of all aspects of a plumbing system shall be in conformance with 248 CMR 3.00 through 10.00, including that all products used in any plumbing or gas fitting systems shall be Product Accepted by the Board.

(27) Principle 27: Emergency/Temporary Use. Failure to have sufficient plumbing fixtures, systems, and other appurtenances whose installation complies with 248 CMR 10.00 represents a significant danger to public health. Where a temporary use of a building or structure not complying with 248 CMR 10.00 is necessary due to an emergency or other hardship, said use shall only be considered safe and legal if approved by the Board and/or the Inspector acting pursuant to 248 CMR 10.05(19).

Notes

248 CMR, § 10.02

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1331, eff. 1/27/2017. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1510, eff. 12/8/2023.